20250806-004: Environmental Commission Annua Internal Review 2024-2025 — original pdf

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Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2024 to 6/30/2025 ___Environmental Commission__ (Official Name of Board or Commission) The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: Per section 2-1-144(F) of the City Code, the Environmental Commission may: 1) review and analyze the policies relating to the environmental quality of the city; (2) act as an advisory board to the city council, the city manager, and the department in their efforts to oversee the protection and integrity of the natural environment; (3) promote growth management and land use planning, minimize degradation of water resources, protect downstream areas, and promote recreation opportunities and environmental awareness; and (4) advise and recommend on any issue which the commission determines necessary or advisable for the enhancement and stewardship of the urban forest both public and private. (G) The commission shall: (1) assist the city council, the city manager, and the department in studying, promoting and enforcing environmental protection policies to assure the health, safety, welfare and quality of life of all citizens within the City's incorporated boundaries as well as those within its extraterritorial jurisdiction where the boundaries apply; and (2) oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan for the planting, maintenance, and replacement of trees in the City's jurisdiction, and revise the plan as necessary. When a portion of the plan has been developed and established, it shall be submitted to the city council for adoption before implementation. (H) The commission shall advise the city council, the city manager, and the department concerning policies, projects, and programs that affect the quality of life or have the potential to affect the environment, including those that relate to or affect: Annual Review and Work Plan 2024-2025 Page 2 (1) water quality: (a) watershed protection; (b) urban runoff; (c) innovative wastewater treatment; (d) regional wastewater treatment; (e) improvement and protection of the Colorado River and the Edwards Aquifer; and (f) wastewater irrigation; (2) growth management and land use planning: (a) municipal utility district review; (b) capital improvement project review; and (c) the comprehensive plan; (3) construction controls for erosion and sedimentation; (4) City environmental policies regarding monitoring and enforcement; (5) solid waste disposal plan alternatives; (6) watershed protection: (a) flood control; (b) erosion control; (c) water quality; and (d) utility management; (7) roadway planning; (8) beautification; (9) recreation resources; (10) public education on environmental matters; (11) hazardous waste materials management; (12) revegetation and landscaping; (13) air quality; (14) noise abatement; (15) all matters pertaining to the City's urban forest, including public and private trees; and (16) avian, aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and habitats. (I) The commission shall: (1) review all variances to requirements for water quality protection; (2) review the monitoring of storm water runoff in developed and undeveloped areas; (3) review the efficiency of existing and proposed structural and nonstructural water quality controls; (4) periodically review the effectiveness of Chapter 25-4 ( Subdivision ); (5) review waste treatment permits within the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction; (6) review programs and policies for flood control, erosion control, and water quality; (7) review capital improvement projects; (8) review municipal utility district proposals and amendments; (9) review roadway plan amendments; (10) recommend urban runoff standards; and (11) review the environmental elements of planned unit developments. (J) The commission may recommend and initiate, with the advice and consent of the city council, specific project studies concerning any of the matters described in Subsections (H) and (I), or any other related environmental or urban forestry issue. Annual Review and Work Plan 2024-2025 Page 3 (K) The commission shall make reports and recommendations for standards and criteria concerning any of the matters described in Subsections (H) and (I), or any other related environmental or urban forestry issue. (L) The commission shall promote close cooperation between the City and all private citizens, institutions, and agencies interested in or conducting natural resource, environmental, and urban forestry activities, so that all similar activities within the city may be coordinated to secure the greatest public welfare. (M) A project for which commission review is required: (1) must be submitted to the appropriate staff before the meeting at which it will be considered; and (2) may not be considered by the Planning Commission, the Zoning and Platting Commission, or the city council until the commission has had an opportunity to review the project at a regularly scheduled meeting and to report its findings. 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. Attached to this report is a spreadsheet listing all actions, recommendations, letters, and reports considered and/or taken up by the Environmental Commission during the previous calendar year. 2. Determine if the board’s actions throughout the year comply with the mission statement. All actions taken by the Environmental Commission comply with the Commission’s mission statement. 3. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. • Focus the Environmental Commission’s review and oversite on sustainability and resiliency including species protection, air quality, light pollution and construction material reuse. • Understand and support flood mitigation policies. • Understand and support programs that prioritize creek and waterway cleanups to allow water to move during heavy rain events. • Understand and support the new Atlas-14 maps and policies that surround floodplain and development. • Support climate resiliency as it relates to tree canopy and urban forest management, especially after extreme weather events. Annual Review and Work Plan 2024-2025 Page 4 • Support endangered and threatened species resiliency through habitat protection, wildfire mitigation, cave protection, aquifer and recharge zone protection and bird-friendly design. • Understand how federal funding cuts will impact environmental protection in Austin in the short and long term. • Review and address pollution issues. • Support Bird-friendly Design public input and implementation. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Item/Requestor/Staff Presentation, discussion and recommendation on the Community Investment Budget – Kathy Mitchell, Equity Action. Sponsored by Commissioners Sullivan and Krueger Discuss and make a recommendation regarding investments the City should fund as part of Council Resolution 20240215-025: Environmental Investment Plan, as recommended by the Joint Sustainability Committee – Commissioner Haris Qureshi Discuss and make a recommendation in support of adding a Climate Fee to address funding for the Environmental Investment Plan, as recommended at the Joint Sustainability Committee – Commissioners Haris Qureshi, Richard Brimer, and David Sullivan EC Meeting Date Link Action Category 7/3/2024 20240703-004: Community Investment Budget Recommendation 7/17/2024 7/17/2024 20240717-004: Recommendation on Environmental Investment Plan Bond and Climate fee 20240717-004: Recommendation on Environmental Investment Plan Bond and Climate fee Budget recommendation Budget recommendation Budget recommendation Presentation, discussion, and recommendation on the Austin-Travis County Food Plan – Angela Baucom, Business Process Consultant, Office of Sustainability 8/7/2024 20240807-002: Austin Travis County Food Plan Recommendation Comprehensive Plan recommendation Presentation, discussion, and recommendation on the Cities Connecting Children to Nature program – Melody Alcazar, Program Manager, Parks and Recreation 8/7/2024 20240707-003: Cities Connecting Children to Nature Recommendation Program recommendation (programs relating to public education on environmental matter) Presentation, discussion, and recommendation on the Umlauf Historic Preservation, Expansion, and Unification Plan – Kim McKnight, Parks and Recreation 8/21/2024 20240821-002: Umlauf Historic Preservation Expansion Unification Plan Comprehensive Plan recommendation Revisit a recommendation on an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 related to development regulations applicable to residential re-subdivisions and multi-family residential site development of five to sixteen units (Site Plan Lite, Phase 2 & Infill Plats) – Presented by Matt Hollon, Watershed Protection, requested by Environmental Commissioners Jennifer Bristol and Hanna Cofer Name: 1107 Castle Ridge Rd Wastewater Service Extension Request #5845 Applicant: Andrew Milam, Parkside Homes LLC Location: 1107 Castle Ridge Road, Austin, Texas 78746 Council District: Austin 2-Mile Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Staff: Kaela Champlin, Environmental Program Coordinator, (512) 974-3443, Kaela.Champlin@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Wastewater Service Extension Revision Staff Recommendation: Not recommended Make a recommendation regarding the request for 200 E Riverside Planned Unit Development (PUD) (C814-2023-0057) located at 200 East Riverside Drive, Austin, Texas, 78704 (District 9). Presenter: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department 8/21/2024 20240821-003: Infill Plats and Site Plan Lite II Revisited Code change recommendation 9/4/2024 20240904-002: 1107 Castle Ridge Road Wastewater Service Extension Request #5854 Recommendation SER recommendation 9/4/2024 20240904-003: 200 E Riverside PUD Recommendation Planned Unit Development Recommendation 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Name: Dominium Sage at Franklin Park, SP-2023-0389C.SH Applicant: Nick Brown, Kimley Horn Engineering Planning and Design Consultant Location: 4605 S Pleasant Valley Road, Austin, Texas 78744 Council District: District 2 Staff: David Michael, Environmental Review Specialist, Development Services Department, david.michael@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill up to 15 feet in depth. Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions Name: Williamson Creek Interceptor (SP-2022-1368D) Applicant: Kane Wei, P.E., Austin Water Utility (AWU) Location: From 5111 S. 1st Street to 5404 E. William Cannon Drive along Williamson Creek Council District: District 6 Staff: Brad Jackson, Environmental Compliance Specialist Senior, 512-974-2128, Development Services Department, brad.jackson@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Request to vary from a) LDC 25-8-261 to allow development in the CWQZ for a wastewater interceptor and b) LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut up to 9 feet for removal of a building foundation exceeding the 4-foot limitation Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions Presentation, discussion, and recommendation on the Great Springs Project – Mikey Goralnik, Trails and Transportation Planner, Great Springs Project; Requested by Environmental Commissioner David Sullivan Presentation, discussion, and recommendation to amend City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to increase erosion protections along the Colorado River below Longhorn Dam – Matt Hollon, Watershed Protection Department, Matt.Hollon@austintexas.gov, 512-974-2238 Presentation, discussion, and recommendation on an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Austin and Hays Independent School District – Jacob Eickstead, Watershed Protection Department, Jacob.Eickstead@austintexas.gov 9/4/2024 20240904-004: Dominium Sage Fill Recommendation Environmental variance recommendation (Fill) 9/18/2024 Recommendation 20240918-002: Williamson Creek Interceptor Environmental variance recommendation (CWQZ and cut) 9/18/2024 Recommendation 20240918-003: Great Spring Project Program recommendation (program relating to recreation resources) 11/6/2024 Recommendation 20241106-002: Colorado River Code Amendment Code change recommendation 11/6/2024 Recommendation 20241106-003: Hays ISD ILA Environmental variances related to cut/fill and artificial turf Discussion and recommendation on the findings of the Bird-friendly Design working group and upcoming resolution – Environmental Commissioner Jennifer Bristol 11/6/2024 Recommendation 20241106-004: Bird Friendly Design Working Group Code change recommendation (Commission suggested, regarding 2-1-144 (F) (3) ) Name: Dredge of Channel Rd. Lagoon, SP-2023-0376D Applicant: Stephen Hawkins, Aqua Permits Location: 4824 Laguna Ln, Austin, TX, 78746 Council District: District 8 Staff: Miranda Reinhard, Environmental Scientist Senior, Watershed Protection Department; 512-978-1537, miranda.reinhard@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261(C)(9)(a) to allow more than 25 cubic yards of dredging in Lake Austin. Staff Recommenda(cid:415)on: Recommended with condi(cid:415)ons 12/4/2024 Recommendation 20241204-002: Dredge of Channel Rd. Lagoon Environmental variance recommendation (Dredging)  Name: Loyola Flats, SP-2024-0147C.SH Applicant: Allison Lehman, Kimley-Horn Location: 6700 Decker Lane, Austin, TX, 78724 Council District: District 1 Staff: Miranda Reinhard, Environmental Scientist Senior, Watershed Protection Department; 512-978-1537, miranda.reinhard@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261(G) to allow floodplain modification in the Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions Discussion and recommendation on strategies to improve the tree canopy in Austin – Environmental Commissioners Richard Brimer and Melinda Schiera Discussion and recommendation on the Austin Energy Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan – Environmental Commissioners Haris Qureshi and David Sullivan Name: Westcreek Mixed Use, SP-2023-0276C Applicant: Quiddity, Justin Cadieux, PE Location: 5725 W US 290 Highway EB, Austin, TX, 78749 Council District: District 8 Staff: Mike McDougal, Environmental Policy Program Manager, Development Services Department; 512-974-6380, mike.mcdougal@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Redevelopment Exception in the Barton Springs Zone [LDC 25-8- 26] Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends the Redevelopment Exception for this project. Name: Taylor Slough Dredge Maintenance, SP-2024-0019D Applicant: Janis J. Smith, P.E., Janis Smith Consulting Location: 3704 ½ Meadowbank Dr, Austin, TX, 78703 Council District: District 10 Staff: Miranda Reinhard, Environmental Scientist Senior, Watershed Protection Department 512-978-1537, miranda.reinhard@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261(C)(9)(a) to allow more than 25 cubic yards of dredging in Lake Austin. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends this variance with conditions Presentation, discussion, and action regarding a recommendation to Austin City Council on the creation, continuation, termination, and status of a concession including issuance of a Request for Proposal for a concession in Town Lake Metropolitan Park for inclusion in the joint report between the Parks and Recreation Board and the Environmental Commission that is provided to City Council annually – Karen Charles, Contract Management Specialist, and Denisha Cox, Contract Management Supervisor, Parks and Recreation Department. Presentation on Watershed Protection Department's Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, Programs, and Projects Overview and approve recommendations for their FY26 budget — Anupa Gharpurey, Financial Manager, and Pam Kearfott, Managing Engineer, Watershed Protection Department 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 12/4/2024 Recommendation 20241204-003: Loyola Flats Environmental variance recommendation (floodplain modification) 12/4/2024 12/4/2024 Recommendation 20241204-004: Urban Forestry Tree Canopy Commission recommendation regarding 2-1-144 (F) (4) (Urban forest stewardship) Recommendation 20241204-005: Austin Energy Plan Comprehensive Plan recommendation 2/5/2025 20250205-003: Westcreek BSZ Redevelopment Recommendation Redevelopment Excemption in the Barton Springs Zone 2/5/2025 20250205-004: Taylor Slough Dredge Maintenance Recommendation Environmental variance recommendation (Dredging) 2/19/2025 Recommendation 20250219-002: PARD Concessions Report PARD Annual Concessions report (required by LCD scetion 8-1-73) 3/19/2025 20250319-004: WPD Budget recommendations 2026 Budget recommendation for Watershed Protection's 2026 budget In response to Council Resolution 20250327-062, consider variances and amendments to the Land Development Code, including site-specific amendments to Chapter 25-8, as minimally required to allow the construction of the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhancement and Expansion Project – Leslie Lilly, Environmental Program Manager, Watershed Protection Department (WPD) 4/2/2025 20250402-003: Walnut Creek WWTP Ordinance Recommendation Code modification recommendation Election of Environmental Commission Officers for May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026 term. 4/2/2025 Elected Jennifer Bristol as chair, Mariana Krueger as vice-chair, and Hanna Cofer as secrectary Appointed members to the Urban Forestry Committee, South Central Water Front Advisory Board, and the Joint Sustainability Committee 20250402-006: JSC 2026 Budget Recommendation 20250402-007: Recommendation on Micro Transit to Parks Environmental Commission Annual officer elections Annual committee appointments General budget recommendations regarding sustainability Recommendation regarding access to parks 4/2/2025 4/2/2025 4/2/2025 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Discussion and possible action on Environmental Commission committee membership Discussion and recommendation on 2026 budget priorities from the Joint Sustainability Committee – Environmental Commissioner Haris Qureshi Discussion and recommendation on City-Wide On-Demand Micro Transit to Parks and Recreation Centers – Environmental Commissioners Richard Brimer and Haris Qureshi Name: Flatz-130 SP-2024-0298D Applicant: Ted McConaghy (Kleinfelder) Location: 7400 Zekelman Blvd, Austin, TX 78724 Council District: Council District does not apply in Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Staff: David Michael, Environmental Review Specialist, Development Services Department, (512) 974-2263, david.michael@ausitntexas.gov Applicant request: Request to vary from a) LDC 25-8-302 to allow up to 600 SF of building on slopes over 25%, and to allow up to 3,000 SF of parking area on slopes over 15%; b) LDC 25-8-341 to allow up to 11 feet of cut, and c) LDC 25-8-342 to allow up to 16 feet of fill. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends this variance with conditions Name: PSH – LifeWorks at Tillery, SP-2025-0031C.SH Applicant: 3423 Tillery LLC Location: 819 Tillery Street, Austin, TX, 78702 Council District: District 3 Staff: Naomi Rotramel, City Arborist, Development Services Department Applicant request: The applicant is seeking the removal of a Heritage tree with a single stem over 30 inches in diameter. Staff Recommendation: The request meets City Arborist approval criteria set forth in LDC 25-8-624(A)(2). The variance is recommended. Name: McLemore Tract Multifamily Water and Wastewater Service Extension Request #6139 and 6140 Applicant: John Lewis, Development Associate, CWS Capital Partners, LLC Location: 10656 N FM 620 Rd, Austin, Texas 78726 Council District: Not applicable Staff: Kaela Champlin, Environmental Program Coordinator, (512) 974-3443, Kaela.Champlin@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Water and Wastewater Service Extension Revision Staff Recommendation: Not Recommended 4/16/2025 20250416-002: Flatz 130 Approved Recommendation Environmental Variance recommendation (building on slopes and cut/fill) 5/7/2025 20250507-004: LifeWorks at Tillery Motion Recommendation Environmental Variance (Heritage tree removal) 5/7/2025 20250507-005: McLemore SER Recommendation SER recommendation of denial 32 33 Name: Camelback PUD, C814-86-023.01 Applicant: Armbrust & Brown, L.L.P (Amanda Morrow) Location: 6505 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730 Council District: District 10 Staff: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, (512) 535-8914, Leslie.lilly@austintexas.gov; Sean Watson, Environmental Program Coordinator, (512) 963-2167, Sean.Watson@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Amend a Planned Unit Development Staff Recommendation: Staff recommended with conditions Name: 500 S Congress, C814-2024-0001 Applicant: Armbrust & Brown, L.L.P (Amanda Hendrix) Location: 500 S Congress, Austin, TX 78704 Council District: District 9 Staff: Sean Watson, Environmental Program Coordinator, (512) 963-2167, Sean.Watson@austintexas.gov; Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, (512) 535-8914, Leslie.lilly@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Planned Unit Development Zoning Staff Recommendation: Staff recommended with conditions 5/21/2025 20250521-002: Camelback PUD Amendment 3 Recommendation PUD amendment recommendation 6/2/2025 20250604-002: 500 S Congress PUD Recommendation PUD recommendation